Jane Phillips

Jane Phillips, age 82, was born on December 15, 1941, in Washington D.C. in the middle of a rolling blackout during World War II. She was the fifth of six children of John and Lucille Hartnett. She grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Saint Mary’s School of Nursing (Minnesota in 1962). While working in Michigan she met, fell in love with, and married West Point graduate Joseph Phillips. They had two children, Michael and Debra, and eventually settled in Sierra Vista, Arizona, where she split her time between nursing and homemaking.

Jane was the kind of mother that you see on old TV shows and wish you had. She would sing songs as she opened the blinds in the morning to wake her children before school. It was hard to be cranky when you could smell a hot breakfast waiting in the kitchen. Jane was quick with a smile and enjoyed a good laugh. She could sing a song at the drop of a hat and liked playing cards and reading the Bible. God and family were her priorities. In retirement, she and Joe relocated to Sun City, Georgetown, Texas, where they celebrated the last 20 years of their married lives including a 50th wedding anniversary. After Joe passed away in 2015, Jane spent her time reading books, doing yard “work” (it’s good exercise!), and being a greeter at the Worship Place in Sun City. She spent her last year in Assisted Living in Belton, Texas.

Jane is survived by two brothers; Rod Hartnett and Bob Hartnett, one sister Ann Watson, two children Michael Phillips (Belton, Texas) and Debra Wilkie (Jacksonville, North Carolina), five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4